Florida Culture for the Week of March 24 By Josh Garrick

Now through 2015 – Sea World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

The perfect Florida morning of March 21 found SeaWorld Administrators and long-time enthusiasts among a sea of bubbles celebrating SeaWorld’s multi-park 50th Anniversary celebration. Over the next 18 months, visitors will find Park pathways overflowing with a Bubble Blowout as they walk through bubbles of all sizes, spontaneous ‘pop-up’ performances, up-close encounters with animals rescued by the Sea World Animal Rescue Team, a newly designed SEA Garden, and the new Surprise Squad, roaming the Park giving away prizes and gifts. On June 21, a new Shamu production will debut, with new music and ‘new killer whale behaviors.’ Visit seaworld.com/celebration for details.

Sea World President Terry Prather greets FL Editor Josh Garrick

Now through April 7 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents RENT

Set in the seedy East Village of New York City, RENT is about finding love, falling in love, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT is a pop phenomenon with songs that rock and a story based on Puccini's La Boheme. The lives of a group of impoverished young artists, living under the shadow of HIV/AIDS, are examined along with their dreams, loves, conflicts, and passions. Directed by Justin J. Scarlat, RENT runs through April 7 at The Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. Call 407.920.4034.

Chris McCabe and Laura Ayala in Rent.

Now through April 29 -- Paintings by Margaret Schnebly Hodge in Jacksonville

An abstract painter known for her rich, dark palette overlaid with the philosophical concepts of physical and emotional restraint and a striving for freedom, Margaret Schnebly Hodge’s personal striving is evident in the artwork currently exhibited in Jacksonville through April 29. In an introduction, Gary Libby writes, “In many ways Hodge’s new work artistically begins to bridge some elements of the new science with the eternal beauty and mystery of the Heavens.” The exhibit is on view at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum at 101 West 1st Street in Jacksonville through April 29. Admission is free.

Mar 25 to 30 – EVITA on the Broadway Series

The inventive – and decades later – classic Broadway show EVITA offers us the Argentinean diva Eva Peron center stage at the Bob Carr PAC. The multi-award-winning musical chronicles the life of Eva Peron in a six-day run from March 25 to 30 telling the ‘rags-to-riches’ tale of Evita and her rise to power from being an illegitimate child from the slums to becoming First Lady of Argentina. For a brief time, Evita was “high-flying-adored,” only to have her fragile health prove her downfall. This production is highly recommended. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787

Mar 27 – Don Juan Goes to the Movies

The Royal Opera House Cinema Season of classic operas, performed at London’s Royal Opera House, are streamed to more than 100 movie theaters across the U.S.  Mozart’s Don Giovanni, in a much-anticipated new production, will be ‘performed’ on March 27. In this new production, Director Kasper Holten shifts the emphasis from Don Giovanni’s sex life into a darker place, showing his womanizing as an attempt to stave off his own mortality. The cast includes Mariusz Kwiecień, one of the world’s leading Don Giovannis. Tickets are available at screenvision.com/cinema-events/don-giovanni-2/

March 27 to April 6 – Shakespeare’s As You Like It at Valencia College Theater

The hilarious tale of 8 lovers, 4 brothers, and 2 fools comes to Valencia College's East Campus on a stage designed to resemble Shakespeare's Globe Theater.  In this play, the audience sees love from every angle – from sibling rivalry to love at first sight "in a beguiling game of love, lust and mistaken identities.” Performances will be held at Valencia College’s East Campus at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. A talk-back session will follow the April 4 performance, moderated by Theater Program Chair John DiDonna. Call 407.582.2900 or visit valenciacollege.edu/arts

Mar 27 to April 27 – The TRUE Story of the Three Little Pigs

Based on the popular book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s The True Story of the Three Little Pigs tells the Wolf's side of the story in a rock musical for the entire family. Alexander T. Wolf (aka Big Bad Wolf) is accused of deplorable crimes. Facing a jury of pigs and a judge (with a weakness for musical theater), can the Wolf possibly get a fair trial? The audience will decide! Before the show, Orlando Shakes actors invite the audience to join in pre-show fun in this musical for audiences of all ages. Through April 27, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Mar 29 – Beethoven Sonatas Performed by Leonidas Lipovetsky

Critically acclaimed since his debut recital at age 12, Leonidas Lipovetsky will perform the 4th in a series of eight performances of all 32 Beethoven Sonatas on March 29 at 7:30 pm. Presented by the Florida International Piano Competition, Lipovetsky  has recorded for the BBC, Radio Moscow, and PBS; and he was the first recipient of the Van Cliburn Scholarship. Lipovetsky will perform Sonata #7 (the Equestrian), Sonatas # 3, 9, 10, and 8 (the Pathetique) at the Shakespeare Center in Orlando. Call 407.770.1700 or visit floridapiano.org

Mar 29 – Wanzie’s BIG FAT Variety Show

As much an attraction as the ‘fabulous’ acts that show up to support the LGBT Community Center, Michael Wanzie HIMSELF will emcee the 2nd Annual Wanzie’s BIG FAT Variety Show on March 29 at 7 pm. Acts include Ukulele Sensation Scott Whittemore, The Magic of Tim & Spencer, ‘Ginger Minj’ as Mrs. Lovett from Sweeny Todd, Aerialist Robbie Drennen, John B. deHAAS on keyboards, and the vocal stylings of Julie Orhberg, Nick Kroger, Beki Herrbach, Shawn Walsh, David Dorman, and more! Wanzie guarantees ‘fabulousness,’ and that’s enough for me. Visit Wanzie.com

April 1 to May 31 – Paper Bag Mushrooms -- Around the World

Since 2005, an idea from the mind of artistic wunderkind Doug Rhodehamal has ‘planted’ thousands of paper bag mushrooms, constructed by hundreds of individuals, students and organizations, on every continent of the world – including Antarctica! EVERYONE is invited to join in, showing support for creativity and art education while also becoming part of the largest art installation in the world – by making paper mushrooms from lunch bags! You and yours can be part of this artistic ‘happening’ by visiting dougrhodehamel.com to learn how.

April 4 to 13 – The 23rd Annual Florida Film Festival

The Florida Film Festival at the Enzian Theater in Maitland, includes cutting-edge cinema, while also indulging in food and wine events, ‘industry’ parties, and a star-packed attendee list. Accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Festival plays host to more than 100 visiting directors, producers and award-winning talent – all right here in Maitland. For a complete list of films and events, visit floridafilmfestival.com

April 4 to 6 – The Central Florida Home and Garden Show

Spring is finally here (YAY), which means it’s time for home-owners to get started on home-projects (yay?). Inspiration and expertise is just around the corner at the Home & Garden Show set for April 4 to 6 at the Orange County Convention Center. This home show extravaganza offers innovative products, ideas, advice and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and gardening with hundreds of experts all under one roof. Highlights include appearances by celebrity landscaper Ahmed Hassan, Chef demonstrations, ‘how-to’ presentations by Chris Tice, and designer rooms. Visit CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com or call 877.871.7469.

April 5 – Oliveira Plays Brahms

With a schedule including appearances with the world's greatest orchestras, Elmar Oliveira is among this generation's most honored artists. Oliveira is the first and only American violinist to win the Gold Medal at Moscow's Tchaikovsky International Competition and the first violinist to receive the Avery Fisher Prize, in addition to capturing First Prize at the Naumburg International Competition. Oliveira will take on Brahms’s towering Violin Concerto with the Orlando Philharmonic between Jean Sibelius’ most popular works – the tone poem Finlandia and the magnificent 2nd Symphony on April 5 at 8 pm. Call 407.896.6700 or visit Orlandophil.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators